Brian Cain

Brian Cain is a sergeant with the Holly Springs (Ga.) Police Department, and is known as the "Millennial cop" on Twitter. He has been in law enforcement since 2000. He hosts and produces a podcast for Millennials in law enforcement.

Michael Bostic

Mike Bostic, of Raytheon Corp.'s Civil Communication Solutions group, specializes in open architecture, systems integration of communications and data programs. Mike spent 34 years with the LAPD. He managed IT and facility development, as well as the SWAT Board of Inquiry, which developed new command-and-control systems.

Body-Worn Cameras and Privacy

Consider these privacy issues when using on-body cameras.

Two issues immediately come to mind when considering deployment of body-worn recorders. First is the concern for privacy. Some systems don't alert others when they're recording, and it's easy to forget to turn the recorder off after a call or traffic stop.

So casual conversations with the potential for embarrassment can wind up in your evidence files. You should consider establishing a policy on the use and retention of communications between department members, especially when there hasn't been explicit notice that a recording is being made.

While it might be tempting to catch someone making a disparaging comment about the sheriff or another officer, use or even disclosure of those recordings will create an atmosphere of paranoia. Delete the "insider" recordings right away, whether they were made intentionally or otherwise, and consider a code word or phrase to alert others that a recording is being made such as "Elmer's here."

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Comments (9)

Displaying 1 - 9 of 9

Brian Greene @ 7/20/2012 8:40 AM

So, already trying to find ways to circumvent the system? Interesting, psychological profile experts for the government have found that this is what a criminal does when presented with a new system of observation or control. So odd how the line between criminal and crime stopper blurs.

Jelly2283 @ 7/25/2012 5:44 AM

Brian isn't there some liberal blog you would like to join. This site was designed for LEO. Take your conspiracy theories elsewhere. It amazes me how idiots like you sit around and think the police are always trying to get one over on you.

Rev. Lowrey @ 7/25/2012 9:40 AM

Well Jelly,It's like the cops always say, "If you aren't doing anything wrong - you don't have anything to worry about."

Jelly2283 @ 7/25/2012 11:25 AM

Oh I forgot Rev., you walk on water.......................You and Brian should blog each other. You guys would have fun talking cool police stuff.

Mick Magill @ 9/12/2013 8:35 PM

As an ex LEO, I am appalled that ANY officer would ever complain about recording while on duty.

I do NOTHING at my office that I would have any problem with the world seeing, and I am not even a public servant anymore.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

MilesMillions @ 9/12/2013 8:38 PM

"Delete the "insider" recordings right away" ...

Or you could, you know, actually act like an upstanding member of the organization that's supposed to be about serving the public and behaving in a professional manner, and actually NOT badmouth anyone. But maybe that's just too hard.

SenseAMillion @ 9/12/2013 8:54 PM

Well said Miles...If you do your job professionally then you should not have to hide anything..Just learn not to talk about the bums on the street or what a low cut blouse that hooker was wearing and you will be good to go..

SenseAMillion @ 9/12/2013 9:02 PM

By the way....Can someone please make it mandatory that cops in training and out in the field should have classes in citizens RIGHTS? Citizens have every right to film situations with all LEO's...Do Not go grab their phone or video camera, jerk them around, pepper spray or club them if they refuse to stop filming you as you break the law.. If you choose to do that then you will put yet another black mark on your brother LEO's..It is hard to create a good reputation when you have people on the force who have issues or who do not respect others rights..

Elliott W @ 9/13/2013 10:35 AM

Its funny how much illegal behavior is caught when cops forget they are being recorded. There should be no ability to delete ANY video and the only video that should be private would be of them in the can.

If you have nothing to hide.. Such a statement cuts both ways. The big difference is that police, who have been granted powers need to be held to the higher standard. The simple fact that there are so many videos of officers acting poorly supports the proposition of MORE video and not less.

Anytime people have discretion to delete the video that potentially points to their own wrong doing, there is a significant chance they will do so. There is already a problem where incriminating video "disappears" FAR too often.

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